"The
idea for developing KeepingPace started in the Intensive Care Unit for
newborns. "

In 1995 my son William was
born
with a life-long debilitating condition, cerebral palsy. Like any
parent,
I had dreams for him. Unfortunately, these dreams had to be set aside
while I focused on ways to help my son cope with his disability. There
were doctor's visits, evaluations, therapies, educational considerations,
personal family struggles, and normal daily challenges. And then there
was
the ever-present question that constantly rang in my head: Why does
this
happen and how can we prevent this from happening to others?
Fortunately,
in a visit to the Boston Children's Hospital I was invited to tour the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit attended by Dr. Volpe and Dr. duPlessis from
the
Neurology Department.

The images from this visit
will
never leave me. As anyone who has had a child in the Intensive Care
Unit
knows, this is one of the most difficult experiences a parent has to deal
with.
I was able to visit the Intensive Care Unit with a new goal in mind: a
philanthropic mission which would allow me to focus on helping others.
With support from other parents, we were able to work with an incredible
team of
people who donated time, money and shared personal connections.
Finally,
in 2002, we raised enough funds to call ourselves a research program, "The
Lifebridge Program".

Empowered by the success at
Lifebridge, this journey led me to create KeepingPace. In November of
2002, during a visit to my son's orthotist, I became frustrated that the new
shoes I had purchased were the wrong size for his new braces. In a
somewhat off-handed remark, I stated I was going to have molds made for
William's foot which would allow for the required extra depth, a cut-line
for
leg length discrepancy, a durable toe-cap and much more. The orthotist
encouraged me to meet a specialty footwear design team in Salem, MA.
One
conversation led to another, and before long, a strategic partnership was
developed between SoleTech and KeepingPace.

With proceeds from our
sales,
KeepingPace will be donating financial resources to fund research
programs.
Today, KeepingPace is run by parents of children with special needs.
Supporting our team are orthotists, specialty footwear designers, friends
and
family. It is because of their skills and encouragement that KeepingPace
thrives today.